This Sucks! (but in a good way) (Dyson DC03)

Member Name: wampyrii

Product:	Dyson DC03
Date:	02/10/00 (454 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good suction power

Disadvantages: lacking something for the price

This is an upright vacuum cleaner with impressive capabilities. 'Ugh!' will be your reaction upon first usage - not because it is a bad cleaner, but simply because it is so good. You will see all manner of dust, dirt and general household filth flying around in the transparent plastic dust collector which has not been collected by your previous vacuum cleaner. I was pleased to see that the Dyson range of cleaners lived up to their reputation(hype) in this respect.

They claim that the use of a dust collector, such as this has, will save you money because you do not have to buy bags anymore as with other cleaners. This is true, but emptying out this compartment can be a messy business - you are likely to end up covered in the contents of your floor the first couple of times you try to ever so gently tease the contents into your dustbin. After you get used to it though you can minimise dust escapage(is that a word..lol) although not completely eradicate the problem. Sadly though this doesn't actually save you money as you end up buying filters every 3 months or so which at a cost of around £10 a set can work out as expensive, if not more so, as buying bags.

The Dyson DC-03 comes with a very long lead and hose which has the added bonus of being able to reach most areas of your home without too much plug swapping. However, the vacuum itself does not get right up to the edges which is a disappointment and requires you to use the tool attachments around all the edges.

There are three accessories provided as standard. One for cleaning edges and small spaces, one for upholstery and curtains and a circular brush attachment. These can all be connected to the end of the hose, either as a long attachment, or a shorter one by removing the handle section(simply a click and pull job). The upholstery attachment also doubles up as a stair cleaner as the DC-03 does not provide an attachment for performing this task - but it does the job adequatel
y.

The cleaner feels robust and should last the test of time, however it does feel rather heavy and cumbersome. As a result it is perhaps not suited to either the elderly or infirm - or to those who do not wish to push a heavy vacuum cleaner about the house and who could blame them.

Overall I was impressed with the performance of the DC-03. Its cleaning power is indisputable but the problems lie elsewhere. Its price is way more than others of a similar class and the need to be replacing the filters so often makes it an ongoing expense. Furthermore, the lack of a stair cleaning attachment and that it doesn't reach right to the edges again does not justify the price.

Perhaps look at some of the other models of Dyson, Hoover and Miele before deciding on this vacuum cleaner. They would appear to do the same job but are much cheaper and have some better attachments.

Summary: